NEW YORK — Ivan Nova pitched a six-hitter for his second career shutout, Alfonso Soriano homered and the New York Yankees beat San Francisco Giants 6-0 on Saturday.

The Yankees won for the just the third time in eight games, and are three games behind Cleveland for the second AL wild-card spot.

Nova (9-5) struck out seven and walked one in his third complete game this year. Ryan Vogelsong (3-6) took the loss.

American League

Athletics 9, Twins 1

At Oakland, Calif., The Oakland Athletics lowered their magic number to one for clinching their second straight AL West title, topping Minnesota behind the pitching of Jarrod Parker and hitting of Alberto Callaspo.

The A's have won 12 of 15 and lead second-place Texas by 71/2; games.

Parker (12-7), who may start the A's postseason opener, gave up one run and four hits in six innings.

Rangers 3, Royals 1

At Kansas City, Mo., Matt Garza pitched eight impressive innings for his first victory in six starts and the Texas Rangers kept close in the playoff race, beating Kansas City.

The Royals, out of the playoffs since winning the 1985 World Series, dropped 31/2; games in back of the Indians.

Ashland native Jeremy Guthrie (14-12) took the loss.

Angels 6, Mariners 5

At Anaheim, Calif., Collin Cowgill homered and also stole home as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Seattle Mariners.

Ernesto Frieri got three outs for his 36th save in 40 attempts despite giving up Raul Ibanez's 300th career homer.

Joe Saunders (11-16) tied the Astros' Lucas Harrell and the Cubs' Edwin Jackson for the most losses in the majors.

Tigers 7, White Sox 6

At Detroit, the Detroit Tigers tied the game with an astonishing six-run rally in the ninth inning, then beat the Chicago White Sox when Omar Infante hit an infield single with the bases loaded in the 12th.

Infante's grounder deflected off the glove of reliever Jacob Petricka (1-1) with one out, and the Tigers spilled onto the field with Comerica Park in a frenzy. Detroit plays its final scheduled home game of the year Sunday and can clinch a third straight AL Central title with a win and a Cleveland loss.

Rays 5, Orioles 1

At St. Petersburg, Fla., Alex Cobb took a three-hit shutout into the ninth inning, Desmond Jennings drove in four runs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Baltimore in a matchup of exhausted teams to maintain their lead in the AL wild-card race.

Miguel Gonzalez (10-8) gave up three runs, two hits and five walks in six innings.

Indians 4, Astros 1

At Cleveland, Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer and the Cleveland Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a win over Houston.

The Indians won for the eighth time in 10 games. They lead Texas by a half-game for the second wild-card slot.

Houston, a major league-worst 51-104, has lost a season-high eight in a row.

Blue Jays 4, Red Sox 2

At Boston, Clay Buchholz lost for the first time this season, and the AL East champion Boston Red Sox rested a couple of regulars while falling to Mark Buehrle and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Buchholz (11-1) gave up two earned runs on six hits and two walks in six innings. He had pitched 11 scoreless innings in his previous two starts, his first since spending three months on the disabled list with a strained neck.

National League

Cardinals 7, Brewers 2

At Milwaukee, Matt Carpenter broke Stan Musial's team record for doubles by a left-handed batter in a season, Lance Lynn won for the first time since early August and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers to maintain a two-game lead in the NL Central.

Seeking their first division title since 2009, the Cardinals (91-64) have surged ahead of Pittsburgh (89-66) and Cincinnati (88-67), which fell three back with a 4-2 loss in Pittsburgh.

Pirates 4, Reds 2

At Pittsburgh, A.J. Burnett scattered four hits over seven strong innings to help Pittsburgh move a game in front of Cincinnati for the top spot in the NL wild-card race.

Burnett (9-11) struck out a season-high 12 and Jason Grilli worked the ninth for his 31st save, his first since going to the disabled list with a strained right forearm in July.

Cubs 3, Braves 1

At Chicago, Dioner Navarro hit a tiebreaking single in a three-run eighth inning, and Chicago Cubs Atlanta to keep the Braves on the brink of the NL East championship.

Atlanta's magic number remained at one to clinch its first division title since 2005. Second-place Washington was rained out against Miami later Saturday.